High Court Grants Bail to Shomi Kaiser Again, but Release Uncertain
The High Court has once again granted bail to former president of the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) and actress Shomi Kaiser. However, her release remains uncertain as state lawyers intend to file an appeal regarding the bail decision.
On Wednesday, the High Court bench comprising Justice Abu Taher Md. Saifur Rahman and Justice Mohammad Shawkat Ali Chowdhury issued a ruling declaring the previously issued rule on her bail as valid. The bail pertains to an attempted murder case filed with Uttara East Police Station in connection with the anti-discrimination student movement.
Barrister Hamidul Misbah represented Shomi Kaiser in court, while Deputy Attorney General Jisan Haider and Assistant Attorney General A. B. M. Ibrahim Khalil represented the state.
The Assistant Attorney General stated that an appeal would be filed with the Appellate Division seeking a suspension of her bail.
Earlier, after failing to secure bail from the lower court, Shomi Kaiser obtained bail from the High Court on December 10. However, this bail was later stayed by the regular bench of the Appellate Division on January 6.
On December 12 of last year, the High Court had granted her a three-month bail while also issuing a rule. Later, upon the state's appeal, the Appellate Division stayed the bail and instructed the disposal of the rule. On November 9 of the same year, Shomi Kaiser was sent to jail following a remand order by the court.
She was initially arrested on the night of November 5 from house number 53 on road number 6 in sector 4 of Uttara. Subsequently, a three-day remand was granted against her.
According to reports, during the anti-discrimination student movement on July 18, businessman Ishtiaq Mahmud and others participated in a demonstration. Allegedly, members of the Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League attacked the protesters and opened fire in front of Nawab Habibullah High School in Azampur, Uttara East Police Station area. Ishtiaq Mahmud sustained a bullet wound in his abdomen and received treatment at Evercare Hospital.
Following this incident, on September 29, Ishtiaq Mahmud filed an attempted murder case at Uttara East Police Station. The case named 126 individuals as accused, including former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Kaushik Hossain Taposh was listed as accused number nine, while Shomi Kaiser was named as accused number 24.
